Deogarh: A tusker was found dead in the Khasada forest near Chiragunikudar under the Palasama forest section of Riamal in Deogarh district. Villagers spotted the carcass Friday morning and informed the Forest department officials.
Alerted, Deogarh Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Rashmi J, Assistant Conservators of Forest (ACFs) Swadhinata Sahani, Arun Behera, and Riamal ranger Niranjan Dharua visited the site with a scientific team to investigate. The elephant is believed to be about 15 years old. Its tusks were intact, and no external injuries were found, officials said.
The cause of death remains unclear, though forest staff suspected that the animal may have come in contact with illegal live electric wires. Officials said the exact cause of death will be confirmed after a post-mortem examination. Following the autopsy, the tusks will be collected and the carcass buried.